DRC: CAN 2025 or World Cup 2026? Sébastien Desabre makes his choice without hesitation

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Foot Africa

·20 December 2025

DRC: CAN 2025 or World Cup 2026? Sébastien Desabre makes his choice without hesitation

On the eve of a decisive period for Congolese football, Sébastien Desabre is making his ambitions crystal clear. After reaching the semi-finals of AFCON 2023 and now just one game away from a historic qualification for the 2026 World Cup, DR Congo head to Morocco with high expectations for CAN 2025.

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When asked by TV5 Monde to choose hypothetically between winning the AFCON or booking a ticket to the World Cup, the Leopards' coach was unequivocal:

This isn’t about using a joker. It’s about the competitions themselves. We want to win. Congo wants to win everything. When you look at the line-up at the AFCON, it’s fantastic. I’ve been living in Africa for 15 years and I can see how much African football has evolved.

A bold statement that reflects a team refusing to set any limits. At AFCON Morocco 2025 (December 21, 2025 - January 18, 2026), DR Congo will compete in Group D alongside Senegal, Benin, and Botswana.